A short prompt can produce an answer. A well-designed prompt, supported by the right context, knowledge and verification, can produce a much more relevant result.
In the recent Prompting for Internal Auditors course, Stephen Foster demonstrated how internal auditors can move beyond basic prompting and use AI in a more structured, effective and responsible way. The session attracted strong interest from audit professionals looking to understand how Generative AI can support audit activities while maintaining professional scepticism and appropriate governance.
What made the session particularly valuable was the combination of practical AI knowledge and extensive audit experience. Stephen Foster introduced himself as a former Chief Audit Executive, CFO, Compliance Officer and SVP Development, bringing experience from both assurance and business leadership roles. The prompting framework presented during the course has been developed through an Internal Audit and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) lens, making it highly relevant to the work internal auditors perform every day.
One of the key messages was that Generative AI is not a replacement for professional judgement. AI models are prediction engines that can generate impressive results, but they can also make mistakes. Prompting can improve output quality, but it cannot eliminate the risk of inaccuracies or hallucinations. As auditors, we remain responsible for applying critical thinking, challenging conclusions and verifying outputs before relying on them. The human remains the key control in the process.
The course provided a practical framework, which helps users structure prompts more effectively. Participants saw multiple examples showing how using the framework significantly improves response quality and found the course very valuable.
Interested in learning more?
Following the positive response to this introductory session, additional AI-focused training opportunities with Stephen Foster will continue to explore practical ways internal auditors can use generative AI effectively, responsibly and with confidence. Whether you are just starting your AI journey or already experimenting with these tools, the sessions provide valuable insights that can help you work smarter while maintaining the standards expected of the profession.
Three Upcoming IIA Training Opportunities:
Online: An introduction to artificial intelligence for internal auditors, Level 1 – IIA
